Chelsea are set to agree a permanent offer from Hull City for on-loan midfielder Xavier Simons, according to reports.
The 20-year-old starlet, who left the Premier League club on loan in September in search of frequent first team football, has only made five senior appearances for the Tigers so far, featuring in four Championship matches and one FA Cup clash.
But the Hull City chiefs have seen enough to want Simons as part of their squad long-term and have reportedly struck a deal with Chelsea to prize him away from Stamford Bridge permanently.
Click Here: Belgium soccer tracksuit
It is understood the deal will include a sell-on clause should Hull decide to cash in on the central midfielder in the next few years.
Chelsea have made a habit of selling promising youngsters in the past, namely letting go of Mohamed Salah and Kevin de Bruyne, who went on the become Premier League greats at Liverpool and Manchester City respectively.
Chelsea are set to agree a permanent offer from Hull City for on-loan midfielder Xavier Simons
The 20-year-old left Chelsea at the start of the season in a bid to earn more first team football
According to Fabrizio Romano, personal terms have already been agreed between Simons and Hull City.
The Championship outfit reportedly tried to sign the midfielder permanently during the January transfer window, but unfortunately missed the deadline.
With Jean Michael Seri set for six weeks on the sidelines after picking up a groin injury in February, Simons capitalised on the absence to make his first league start in Hull’s midfield against Preston North End last month.
Impressing Tigers boss Liam Rosenior, the young star also featured for 90 minutes in Hull’s 1-0 defeat against Bristol City at the weekend.
Harvey Vale (left) began the campaign on loan at Hull before Chelsea recalled him in January
Chelsea made a huge mistake letting go of Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah back in 2016
Despite the loss, Simons seems to be building momentum at the MKM Stadium and could well be an important player for Rosenior in seasons to come.
Hull have endured a season of inconsistency this campaign, winning 11, drawing nine and losing 14 matches in the Championship.
Sitting 12 points adrift of the play-off places and 11 points above the relegation zone, Simons will almost certainly play in England’s second tier again next season as he continues his development as a youngster.
Highly-rated Blues teenager Harvey Vale also began the 2022-23 campaign on loan at Hull, but Chelsea decided to recall the starlet in January, happy with the progress he had made at the Championship outfit.